Lamentations 3 - Book Notes

Lamentations 3 - Outline of Lamentations (Book Notes menu page)

A Man of Sorrows wrestles under God's Wrath, ch. 3

This chapter is the high point of the book. It is here that the prophet begins to come to terms with the terrible destruction that has come upon his people, and finds reason for hope.

Although the chapter is set in the first person and begins "I am the man...," many scholars think these are the words of Jerusalem personified (as in 1:12-22; 2:22).

However, much of this chapter (ch. 3) can apply only to a man, not to a city (eg., v.14,52-54). Jeremiah's personal experiences parallel those of "the man" of this chapter:

weeping for his people, v.48,49 with Jer 9:1; 13:17; 14:17).
pursued by his enemies, v.52 with Jer 1:18,19
cast into a dungeon, v.53-58 with Jer 38:4-13
warned by God of enemy plans, v.60-62 with Jer 11:18,19
mocked by his people, v.14,63 with Jer 20:7,8

Therefore, it is evident that Jeremiah is speaking, in these places.

However, portions of the chapter are in the first person plural ("we... us... our," v.22, 40-47). In these sections, Jeremiah is echoed by other individuals whose hearts are in harmony with his. Apparently, these are the voices of the believing remnant, who will pray, in the latter days, for the promised restoration of Israel.

There is yet a third voice audible, here. It is that of "the LORD our Righteousness" (as heard, in the Notes at Lam 1:11-14, point C.). The chapter, before us, contains numerous parallels and allusions to other OT passages which, according to the NT, are Messianic foreviews of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Perhaps because of its unique perspective, this chapter is also set apart from the others by its literary style. There are 66 verses in ch. 3, compared to the 22 verses in the other four chapters. Whereas each verse in ch. 1, 2 and 4 begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet, chapter 3 is arranged in triplets. Each verse of each group of three verses begins with the next Hebrew letter. "This triple formation harmonizes with the triple relationship of the Elegy {Lament} of the Spirit of Christ in the Prophet personally, in the Remnant prophetically, and in Christ Himself absolutely." [in quotes, GWms]

Note also that this chapter does not begin with "How... {Alas...}," as do the two chapters before and the chapter following. In those chapters, the observing prophet is stunned by what has happened to his city and people. He sorrowfully reports the consequences of their sin. In chapter three, the one who speaks bears the weight of that sin personally, as a representative of the people, before the LORD (cp. Isa 53:4-7).

I. A man of Sorrows, v.1-18

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. (v.1)
During years spent proclaiming God's warning of impending judgment to his people, Jeremiah had been afflicted by their rejection of God's prophet (Jeremiah), and by their disregard for God's Word (eg., Jer 15:17,18; 20:14-18). Now that Jerusalem had fallen, Jeremiah felt the pain, of his distressed people, as though God's wrath had stricken him.
Chapter 2 revealed that the LORD had actively exercised His wrath, upon His people for their sin. What seemed to be the work of an enemy nation, was shown to be what "He hath..." done (see Lam 2:2-8,17).
Chapter 3 continues the repeated refrain "He hath..."
But here, the LORD's wrath is poured out upon the servant of the LORD, who was innocent of the nation's crimes. In this, Jeremiah is a type (a picture) of Christ.
It is evident that Jeremiah was immersed in the written Word (as we should be, Jer 15:16; Col 3:16), because the verses which follow are rich... with parallels to the sufferings of Job... with reminders of prior prophetic warnings... with the tears of the weeping prophet (as one rejected by his people, yet, grieving for their sorrows)... and with foreviews of the suffering Savior (who, rejected and afflicted, bore God's wrath, in behalf of the redeemed, Isa 53:3,4).
[The references, below, in bold font speak of the sufferings of Christ.]

He {ie., the LORD} hath...

led me... into darkness (v.2)- cp. Deu 28:29; Mat 27:45
turned His hand against me (v.3)- cp. Lam 2:4-7; Isa 1:25; 63:9,10
made my flesh... old ... broken my bones (v.4)- cp. Psa 31:9,10; 32:3; 38:2-8; Psa 22:14,15
builded against me (v.5a)- cp. v.5-7; Job 19:8
compassed me with gall and travail (v.5b)- Jer 9:15; Psa 69:21
set me in dark places, as they that are dead... (v.6)- Psa 88:4-6; 143:3
hedged me about {walled me off} (v.7a)- Psa 88:8; Jer 38:6; Hos 2:6
made my chain heavy (v.7b)- cp. Lam 1:14; Psa 40:12
shut out my prayer (v.8)- cp. v.44; Psa 22:1-3; Mat 27:45,46
inclosed {walled off} my ways (v.9a)- ("hedged," in v.7a, and "inclosed" are the same HB word)
made my paths crooked {ie., difficult to find and follow the right way} (v.9b)- cp. Hos 2:6
[been] to me as a bear and lion (v.10)- cp. Hos 13:7,8
turned aside my ways... pulled me in pieces... made me desolate (v.11)- cp. Job 16:12
bent His bow... set me as the mark... (v.12)- cp. Job 16:13
caused His arrows... to enter my reins (v.13)- cp. Job 6:4; Psa 38:2.
An example of his inward pain:
-- I was a song and derision (v.14)- cp. v.63; Job 30:1; Jer 20:7; Psa 69:12; 22:6-8

filled me with bitterness... made me drunken with wormwood... (v.15)-
cp. v.5; Job 9:18; Jer 25:15-18; Psa 75:8; Isa 51:17; Mat 26:39

broken my teeth (v.16a)- cp. Prov 20:17; Mat 7:9
covered me with ashes (v.16b)- cp. Psa 102:9; Job 2:8; Jer 6:26

Thou hast... removed my soul far from peace (v.17)- Jer 8:15; Lam 1:16; Jer 20:14-18
I said... my strength and hope is perished... (v.18)- cp. Job 6:11; Psa 31:22

II. A man whose Hope is in the LORD, v.19-40

Reason for despair - in the flesh: Jeremiah, recalling the bitterness of his troubles,
found his soul humbled {lit., sunk down} (v.20).

Reason for hope - in the LORD (v.21).
Jeremiah chose to turn back, from the painful bitter memories that naturally flooded his mind, to the LORD. (The word "recall" in v.21 means "to turn back.") From his dark dungeon of despair, he turned to gaze upon the LORD, and hope began to dawn.

It is of the LORD's mercies {HB= hesed, loyal love, steadfast love} that we are not consumed... (v.22)-
The LORD could have annihilated the nation. But He has left a remnant. Mal 3:6
Therefore, His promise of future restoration remains sure. Mic 7:18-20; Ezr 9:8,9; Rom 11:5

His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. (v.22b,23a)-
His compassions {ie., tender affections.} will usher them toward a new birth.
(The HB word for "compassions" {HB=racham} is related to a word for "womb.")
Though Israel has failed, and will fail again... He will not cast them off completely. cp. Zeph 3:5; Psa 89:1,2,33

Great is Thy faithfulness {fidelity; steadfastness}. (v.23b)-
Though Israel has been unfaithful, He is forever faithful. Psa 89:31-37; 2Tim 2:13; Heb 10:23

The LORD is my portion... (v.24)-
Though I lose everything, in Him I have everything. Psa 16:5; 73:26; 142:4,5; Hab 3:17-19

The LORD is good unto them that wait for {ie., expectantly look to} Him... (v.25)-
... to the soul that seeketh {ie., resorts to} Him... -
(ie., to the afflicted, despairing soul, who claims the LORD as his portion and hope, v.24), cp. Psa 130:5-8; Isa 30:15
The waiting soul finds consolation through confidence in the LORD...

Affliction can be endured through hope in God's salvation (v.25-30).
Affliction is temporary and tempered by God's compassion and love (v.31,32).
Affliction is not God's desire for people (v.33).
Affliction through injustice is not approved of God (v.34-36).
Affliction is subject to God's sovereignty (v.37,38). cp. Job 2:10
In these verses, the word for 'evil' refers to 'trouble' or 'calamity' (not to sin, cp. Jam 1:13 where 'evil' does refer to 'wickedness'). When the Lord sends trouble, He does so for a purpose...

Affliction ought to be expected by the sinner (v.39). cp. Deu 28:15-f; Lam 1:8
Affliction is a mercy, because the LORD has temporarily withheld the full punishment due. Eze 18:4; 2Pet 3:9,10

Affliction ought to turn sinners back to the Lord (v.40). Deu 4:27-31; 30:1-10
[Points 1-7, above, were adapted from TBKC.]

Preview of Salvation -
Jeremiah, afflicted under the sorrows of sin and confident in his hope in the LORD, is a picture of the Man of Sorrows, who is the Hope of the afflicted sinner. Isa 53:3-12; Eph 2:12-18; 2The 2:16,17; Heb 6:19,20
Our Savior suffered as a man (Php 2:6-8). Several elements of His human experience are foreshadowed in the chapter before us.

The LORD is good to them that wait for Him... to the soul that seeketh Him... (v.25),
cp. Psa 34:4; 40:1-3; 116:3-5; Mark 1:35; Luk 6:12; Joh 4:34; Isa 53:10-12

It is good that a man should...

hope {from two HB words: lit., 'expectantly travail' (eg., the travail of childbirth)} (v.26), cp. Joh 12:27
quietly wait {ie., be silent} for the salvation of the LORD. cp. Isa 53:7
bear the yoke in his youth (v.27),
Mat 11:27-30 (His yoke was willing submission to the Father.); Luk 2:42-49; Psa 40:8

sit alone and keep silence {or, 'be silenced,' as by death} (v.28)
He quietly bore what was laid upon Him. cp. Joh 16:32; 19:17

in the dust (v.29), cp. Psa 22:15
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him. (v.30), Isa 50:6
He is filled with reproach. cp. Psa 69:9,20; Mat 26:67,68; 27:30,31

The result of this Man's afflictions:
...For the LORD will not cast off for ever...
...though He cause grief, yet He will have compassion (v.31-33), cp. Psa 22:23-31; Isa 53:12

III. A man of Prayer, v.41-66 -

Here again, Jeremiah pictures Christ. (The psalms, cited below, are Messianic.) Repentance of sin, acknowledgment of God's righteous judgment, v.41-47.- This section, which is written in the plural (we, us...), represents the prayer of the believing remnant prior to the promised restoration. Deu 30:1-3; Jer 29:13 Jeremiah owns the sin of his people, in this prayer of confession, as did Daniel (in Dan 9:4-15). In a deeper sense, Jesus took our sins upon Himself (Psa 40:12; Isa 53:5,6; 2Cor 5:21) Intercession for his people, v.48-51 - The remainder of the chapter is again in the singular. Jeremiah intercedes earnestly in behalf of his countrymen, whose sin had separated them from God. While the prayers of the sinful people were shut out from God's Holy Presence (cp. v.44; Isa 59:1,2), Jeremiah prayed for them (v.49,50; eg., Jer 14:7-9; Jam 5:16). Godly men will pray, for they are moved by the heart of God (eg., Daniel, Dan 9:16-19; Paul, Rom 9:1-3). The Savior "ever lives to make intercession..." Luk 19:41-43; Heb 7:25-27 Petition for personal deliverance, v.52-55 - Jeremiah's experiences of persecution, including the threat to his life when he was thrown into the dungeon (Jer 38:1-6), foreshadow the sufferings of Christ... without a cause... life cut off... cast a stone upon me... waters over my soul... Psa 69:1-4,15; 116:1-4 Praise for personal redemption, v.56-59; cp. Psa 116:5-9 "Thou has redeemed my life..." (v.58) - This speaks of redemption accomplished by the 'kinsman redeemer' {HB= 'goel,' cp. Isa 59:20}, the LORD who became a man, to redeem His 'brethren' (Heb 2:10-18). The price of redemption was paid with His own life blood. Thus, this verse also speaks of the Savior's resurrection, apart from which there would be no redemption for those for whom He died (Psa 16:10,11; 1Cor 15:1-4,17 Request for destruction of enemies, v.61-66; cp. Psa 69:21-29 Those, who refuse the redemption for which the Savior paid, must pay the wages of sin for themselves, for the LORD will purge all uncleanness from His Kingdom. Heb 2:1-4; 10:28-31

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